The status of new cybersecurity laws proposed in Rhode Island

As employers in the private and public sectors adjust to the advent of flexible work over the last two years, they're simultaneously trying to protect their organizations from attackers looking to steal and sell data.

2021 was a year defined by significant cyberattacks that crippled infrastructure and shut down hospitals, schools, and municipal governments. It's the same year the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies gasoline to millions living in the Northeast U.S., was hobbled by a ransomware attack that triggered a gas panic and elevated prices for consumers.

And lawmakers were paying attention—passing dozens of laws in 2022 aimed at training workers, securing government agencies, and funneling money into cybersecurity education programs.

Drata compiled a list of new cybersecurity-related legislation in Rhode Island through February 2023 based on data collected by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

States that passed the most cybersecurity legislation in the past year:

#1. Maryland - 8 laws enacted

#2. Florida - 4

#3 (tie). Virginia - 3

#3 (tie). Kentucky - 3

Rhode Island new cybersecurity laws in 2022
- Bills enacted: 2
- Bills failed: 0
- Bills vetoed: 0

RI HB 7732
- Description: Authorizes the secretary of state and board of elections to conduct an extensive cybersecurity assessment of our election systems and facilities and to establish a cybersecurity review board to review and assess our election system, creates a cybersecurity incident response group to adopt protocols in the event of any agency or public body breaches of cybersecurity.
- Read more about the bill here

RI SB 2809
- Description: Authorizes the secretary of state and board of elections to conduct an extensive cybersecurity assessment of election systems and facilities and to establish a cybersecurity review board to review and assess our election system, creates a cybersecurity incident response group to adopt protocols in the event of any agency or public body breaches of cybersecurity.
- Read more about the bill here